Auditor Review

Visiting client sites and completing many different audit tests, including looking at cash and cash equivalents; property, plant and equipment; and operating expenses and cost of sales. Working in small teams to complete the audits, making sure I asked the in charge any questions I came across and asking for explanations of anything that was confusing. Speaking to various members of the clients finance department for any evidence required for the audit

Developed my Microsoft excel skills as all evidence gathering activities are completed in excel, so have had a lot of time to practice. I learnt how to use google sheets and the google drive as it is pushed a lot in PwC for easy collaboration within teams. Google sheets was a useful tool for creating trackers to show what the team has done and what still needs to be done.

I enjoyed my placement in Cardiff, despite not applying for the Cardiff office and having to travel for a long length of time for several of my clients. The people in Wales all seem to be very welcoming and friendly. Cardiff is a good city to live in with lots to do.

The programme is well organised, all relevant staff members at the university and pwc know what is going on when and where. Most staff members at pwc are aware of the flying start programme and many are interested in how it compares to the other programmes available as a route into accountancy. The structure of study and placement is the best as there are large gaps between the period of study and the relevant exams when you go on placement in between.

In the Cardiff office you meet the flying start champion, who is a former flying start student who works in the office since graduating, and your career coach. The flying start champion is very helpful with any questions you might have whilst on placement as they understand what you’re going through.

We have lectures and seminars whilst at university on modules that give us the relevant exemptions for the icaew exams. The lecturers all offer time for us to come and see them outside the timetabled contact hours. They all want us to succeed and are always available to talk to, even when we aren’t at university

Without going to university before my placement I would have been completely lost and would have had no idea what I was doing on placement. The more we study at university, the more helpful it will be in auditing, however there are still areas that you don’t understand on each placement as you haven’t learnt it yet.

In my time at pwc, there were not many events put on, however, there were sports events being planned for the time after I finished my placement. I got to go to the Christmas meal and Group day before I left. Many extra-curricular activities are put on in graduate year groups, which as flying starts we don’t have.

Yes

All the people at pwc seem very friendly, so it is easy to feel welcomed. There are lots of departments in pwc, so there’s a place for you whatever you are interested in. They have offices all over the country so it is likely anyone would be able to find an office within a commutable distance

Research pwc and find out what they do. Think carefully about all answers to questions in the applications process. Don’t be too nervous in the interview, the interviewer is likely to be very nice. If you do a group assessment make sure that your opinion is heard but don't try to be controlling or over confident, allow everyone to have their time to share.